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I was just looking through some programming documents,and i was wondering which files viruses can actually hide inside of.Could anyone give me a complete list of extensions which viruses can hide inside of and extensions viruses cant hide inside of ?.
-RedAlert
A partial list of extensions that deserve a 2nd look when arriving by e-mail:
AD...Microsoft Access Project Extension
ADP...Microsoft Access Project
BAS...Visual Basic Class Module
BAT...Batch File
CHM...Compiled HTML Help File
CMD...Windows NT Command Script
COM...MS-DOS Application
CPL...Control Panel Extension
CRT...Security Certificate
DLL...Dynamic Link Library
DO*...Word Documents and Templates
EXE...Application
HLP...Windows Help File
HTA...HTML Applications
INF...Setup Information File
INS...Internet Communication Settings
ISP...Internet Communication Settings
JS...JScript File
JSE...JScript Encoded Script File
LNK...Shortcut
MDB...Microsoft Access Application
MDE...Microsoft Access MDE Database
MSC...Microsoft Common Console Document
MSI...Windows Installer Package
MSP...Windows Installer Patch
MST...Visual Test Source File
OCX...ActiveX Objects
PCD...Photo CD Image
PIF...Shortcut to MS-DOS Program
POT...PowerPoint Templates
PPT...PowerPoint Files
REG...Registration Entries
SCR...Screen Saver
SCT...Windows Script Component
SHB...Document Shortcut File
SHS...Shell Scrap Object
SYS...System Config/Driver
URL...Internet Shortcut (Uniform Resource Locator)
VB...VBScript File
VBE...VBScript Encoded Script File
VBS...VBScript Script File
WSC...Windows Script Component
WSF...Windows Script File
WSH...Windows Scripting Host Settings File
XL*...Excel Files and Templates
Now what are the extensions that are safe to open?
-RedAlert
It depends upon the source. You should ALWAYS scan then with your AV first, even if the file is from a relative. Some virii deceive by having the extension AND having a .exe, hoping you wont see the latter. For instance, .jpg might sound harmless. But what about .jpg.exe?
Exactly.
I know about that,but what bout extentions like .doc and .pdf?.Can viruses hide in those types of files?.
-RedAlert
I believe a Macro virus can be hidden within a .doc
PDF had a virus called "Peachy"
Viruses can be hidden in most formats so you should always consider the source of the file specially if it comes from email with a couple of 100's of CC's.